Portrait #5 2022

Adam Caldwell made this painting, Portrait #5, probably in the 20th century, with oil paint, but look closely, there's collage in there too. Caldwell uses a mix of careful planning and chance, like a jazz musician improvising on a theme. The way the paint's applied is really interesting; it's both precise and loose, thick and thin. Take a look at the mouth, so lush and fleshy, then up to the eye, rendered with what looks like scrubbing. The flat blue-ish green colour surrounding her face makes me think of a swimming pool somehow, and the sewing pattern that covers part of the face makes me think about masking. But masking what exactly? It reminds me a little of Francis Picabia, who also liked to layer images and ideas in a playful way, though Caldwell's approach feels more personal, less mechanical. Ultimately, this painting embraces uncertainty, it offers a glimpse but resists easy answers.